Page 285 of Golden Eagle

Nikita was tired, too; but he’d stowed the symptoms of it in an old, well-traveled place. The part of him thatwasthe captain.

Still, he smirked at Robin when he turned to face him, and said, “I haven’t been a captain for a long time.”

Rob – that’s what he’d said to call him, earlier – inclined his head, and said, “Still. I believe in titles.” The lion on his breast caught the light, and seemed to wink.

Titles, Nik thought with an inner snort. Obviously.

“We won’t go far,” Rob said, smile turning understanding. “Still within range.”

Without turning his head, Nikita slanted a look over at Sasha.

His mate waved him off, and put his head down on Lanny’s substantial shoulder. “Go. I’m fine.”

Nikita frowned – he wasn’tthatoverprotective…he didn’t think…okay, he was – and went with the other wolf.

They went only a short distance, to the door of the building, beside which a wide window offered a view of an empty gravel parking lot where the weeds danced and bent double in the wind.

“Thank you,” Nikita began, stiffly, “for showing up and–”

“Oh, no need for that,” Rob said cheerfully. “This is what we do: we’ve been hunting down those mindless bastards for over a year now. We still take paid work: putting down coups and lending support to the right sorts of rebellions. Helped topple a few dictators who had it coming. But lately, it’s justthose things.” He mentioned them like someone regarding unfortunate relatives at a family reunion. “Will called last night, and told us he had it well in-hand. And then an hour later Much called, and said you were all going to get yourselves killed.”

When he smiled at Nik, he flashed teeth just crooked enough on top to be charming. “You did do a bang-up job, though, all told.”

Nik sighed. “Look, Will already gave us the join-up speech.”

“Good. He’s our best recruiter – has the best hair, you know. But that’s not what I wanted to talk to you about.

“I’ve been on the phone with your Trina’s captain. Once I explained who I was–”

“He believed he was talking to the real Robin Hood?”

“He believed he was talking to Captain Locksley of Lionheart Security, working under special permission from the CIA, FBI, and Homeland – which I am. He seemed quite impressed when I offered to get the Secretary of Defense on the line.

“He was quite impressed with his detectives, too, managing to go undercover within his precinct in order to expose and take down the Institute.”

Nikita felt his brows go up. “You convinced him of that.”

“I’m very convincing, when I want to be.” He chuckled. “Trina and Lanny won’t solve cases for the NYPD ever again, I’m afraid. But the footage Trina took is on its way to the right channels, no charges against the two of them have been filed, and their families will not only be left well alone, but be personally protected by the FBI.”

Nik let the words settle. Took a deep breath. “You did that?”

“I did.”

Relief washed through him. The good, cleansing kind of relief that left a person weak-kneed and giddy.

“And before you go thinking I’m only trying to buy your good will,” Rob continued, “rest assured that isn’t the case at all.”

“You just like doing good deeds?”

“I’d offer justification – but I have a feeling my reputation precedes me.” His eyes actually twinkled.

Nikita snorted. “I don’t like being beholden to people.”

“And you aren’t. The Institute – this branch of it, especially – has gone too far. We’ve been lax in examining it. What happened tonight needed to happen, and I thank you for taking the initiative that we should have long ago.”

He held out a hand.

And after a moment, Nikita shook it.

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